|
Post by Deleted on Aug 1, 2013 21:27:18 GMT -5
I have been feeding chicken wings daily for bone in meat by leaving them on a plate under the bed. I know Sophia and Bear eat these. No sure who else. I served baby back pork ribs and they sat 12 hours. When I served pork the following morning the were so hungry that they scarfed their plates down. Due to family issues and car issues I have not made soup. I have the ingredients though. Freeman has been eating the Stella and Chewy Rabbit patties and I put his pred on a teaspoon of the meat then a larger plate to fill up. Katy won't be going with her Dad this weekend which means I might be tied up with her. Just depends. If she sleeps late through the morning I will whip it up. I have worked daily on finding sources of organ, chicken back etc. The raw dog co-op seems to be a good source I am just playing phone tag with the director (or whatever she is called). I was able to serve chicken hearts last week. A little buff that in a reduced package and a lot of pork. Still searching craigslist for a small freezer.
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 13, 2013 15:59:54 GMT -5
Found a small freezer brand cheap off a FB posting actually. I've got to get two DES implants though. Ferrets are eating pork, turkey thigh, chicken hearts and chicken wings. Two medallions of venison from Natures Variety, and one Medallion of Rabbit from S&C...mostly for Freeman and Penny. What is leftover the others will lick the plate clean. I am preparing 2 ounces of meat for 5 ferrets at this time. I weigh it out each meal. There is usually 5 pieces of meat left.
|
|
|
Post by bitbyter on Aug 17, 2013 23:32:39 GMT -5
Lindsey, lets do a bit of homework to see if we can work out what will be cheapest for you to feed your business. Also, list where you can find what so that we can figure out your best option to limit your time shopping.
Heart (any type) - where available - price per lbs?
Liver (any type) - where available - price per lbs?
Other Organs (any type) - where available - price per libs?
Chicken Wings (whole, not just tips) - where available - price per lbs? Chicken Bone in, Skin on Thighs - where available - price per lbs? Chicken Necks - where available - price per lbs? Chicken Gizzards - where available - price per lbs?
Turkey Bone in, Skin on Thighs - where available - price per lbs? Turkey Necks - where available - price per lbs? Turkey Drumsticks - where available - price per lbs? Turkey Gizzards - where available - price per lbs?
Pork Belly (fresh, not pickled or smoked) - where available - price per lbs? Fatty Pork Roast - where available - price per lbs?
Fatty Stew Beef - where available - price per lbs? Non-Lean Ground Beef - where available - price per lbs?
Quail - where available - price per lbs? Cornish Game Hens - where available - price per lbs? Duck - where available - price per lbs? Rabbit - where available - price per lbs?
|
|
|
Post by bitbyter on Aug 18, 2013 10:26:07 GMT -5
I also meant to mention if you can't find something that is fine as well. This is to help figure out what is cheapest and easiest for you to feed. You should have at least two different sources of Heart and Liver to work around shortages since you don't have dedicated freezer space at the moment.
I also added in Other Organs, Chicken & Turkey Gizzards.
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 20, 2013 9:01:16 GMT -5
Pork Loin Sirloin Roast $2.99 lb Tom Thumb (very well fatted through is why its so cheap)
Beef for Stew $4.99 lb Tom Thumb
Ground Beef 80% Lean 20% fat $3.99 lb Tom Thumb
|
|
|
Post by bitbyter on Aug 20, 2013 9:55:54 GMT -5
I took a look at Tom Thumbs flier. They also have chicken drumsticks & thighs on for $0.99 a lbs.
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 20, 2013 12:36:10 GMT -5
I went to a small Tom Thumb for some of the prices. The "Flagship" has a better selection. Tyson feeds a lot of questionable growth enhancers and yesterday were in the news again about it with beef. I buy the chicken from Whole Foods - Grade 1.
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 21, 2013 20:46:48 GMT -5
1) Owe you photographs 2) Owe you weights 3) Working on meat cost sheet
I actually ran out of Stella & Chewy Chicken frozen and NV Venison frozen. I have been feeding this to Freeman. I put his Pred over a quarter pattie and then serve him 1/4 cup on a plate. the other ferrets were running to eat it as I think they like the venison. So tonight I got out the electric Cuisinart hand blender and whizzed up chicken hearts and pork together. I had to hand feed him but he ate a tablespoonful and then went to bed. So teeny tiny Penny is my only concern in getting her to eat frankenprey. I will buy turkey thigh tomorrow and I bet she will like it. So that is it for tonight.
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 28, 2013 14:53:24 GMT -5
Organ: Chicken Hearts $2.39 lb Central Market Calf Liver Deveined $3.57 for 4 slices per pkg Central Market
Chicken wings: $3.57 lb Whole Foods Chicken thighs: Bone in Whole Foods Chicken necks: cannot find Chicken back : cannot find
Turkey drumsticks: Whole Foods $2.12 lb Turkey thighs: Whole Foods Bone in $2.47 lb Turkey Necks: Central Market $2.12 lb
Pork Belly: Pork Belly fatty: Pork Loin Sirloin Roast: $2.99 lb (usually 4.99 lb)
Beef for Stew: Tom Thumb $4.99 lb Beef full fat: Tom Thumb $3.99 lb Whole Foods: $4.49 lb
Quail: Semi Boneless Central Market: $4.99 each
Cornish Game Hens:
Duck:
Rabbit: Central Market $10.99 lb
Buffalo Roast: Central Market & Whole Foods $8.99 lb
Turkey gizzard: Central Market $1.98 lb
Capon: Central Market $3.97 lb
Goose: Central Market $6.99 lb
|
|
|
Post by bitbyter on Aug 28, 2013 15:33:32 GMT -5
You didn't say where you got the Pork Roast.
ok, Buffalo & Quail are out (just to expensive).
I think that is the same price I pay for rabbit but I'll have to check.
Turkey Gizzards appear to be your cheapest muscle meat with is fine. Most fuzzums love gizzards.
Turkey Drumsticks and Thighs are good muscle meats as well (cheap and big) but the bones are a little big for most ferrets.
I really wish you'd give up on the Whole Foods chicken as it's really expensive. I'd suggest buying the Capon at Central Market and cut it up yourself. It will be more work, but it is only a little more expensive and you'll be getting more out of if (wings, legs, backs and carcass for bone in and chicken breast for boneless).
So if you just shopped at Central Market you could get:
Capon (bone in and boneless meat) Turkey Gizzards (boneless meat) Organs (chicken hearts and calves liver), they might be able to get you beef kidney if you asked. Turkey Necks (good bone in but have to be cut thin or smashed a bit)
Pork Roast (boneless, see if available from Central Market) Stew Beef (boneless, see if available from Central Market)
I'd check to see what Central Markets prices are for Pork and Beef and if they aren't much higher than the other locations I'd suggest doing all your ferret shopping there. It would save you time and possibly gas as you won't be running around to the other locations. Add two more proteins to the above list and I think we've got your shopping sorted out.
Most of the places you have listed seem pretty main stream. Have you tried look at ethnic markets (Mexican or Asian)? They may have cheaper prices and will most likely have a much better variety and cuts for the ferrets. I know it can be intimidating going into them sometimes but if you are nervous take a friend the first few times. Make an adventure of it. Look up an ethnic recipe, go grocery shopping at the ethnic market and cook away.
Any leads on a freezer yet? That will really help, especially if you start buying the Capons.
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 29, 2013 16:19:15 GMT -5
The Pork Roast was from Tom Thumb. Still searching for farm rabbits around Texas. The only chicken I buy at Whole Foods is wings. I am going to talk to the meat manager and see how he gets them in. Like if in a case what would he sell me wings for in a bulk size. The Capon is frozen and at Central Market. It is so big it would cost me $30+ to purchase. I was also going to ask the meat manager at Whole Foods about organ meat...wonder why they don't carry any I am beginning to wonder if Central Market is repackaging meat from Tyson or something. After I saw the Tyson hearts the manager just handed me I began to wonder. They do not put placards in front of the meat as to what kind of organic and where they are from like Whole Foods. I feel the need to find this out. And, yes, meat is so sky high right now that even chain grocery stores meat prices are nearing Whole Foods organic meats prices. Kinda scary.
The only reason I have not gone to the Asian Markets is because they are far out from my house. I did some calling around and spoke to my Asian brother in law and the ones that were close are gone and so I am left with a couple that are at least 45 minutes from the house.
So my goal: Find rabbit, find organs. I could always get some from Hare Today. I think.
|
|
|
Post by bitbyter on Aug 29, 2013 17:09:12 GMT -5
Remember one of your goals was to tighten the food cost belt. The Capon might be 30+ dollars but how long will it last? Once you get a freezer you really need to look at price per lbs and shop that way. Also 45 minutes isn't that bad if you can get everything at one location and buy a months worth of food. Personal I don't think organic is worth it for the ferrets. I really doubt that the small amount of stuff in non-organic meats is going to build up to dangerous levels in their short lives. Humans live 80+ years, it is a totally different ball park when it comes to bio-accumulation. It is however your choice, your ferrets and your money.
Oh, that 45 minutes, is it one way or round trip? What about Mexican groceries? Being in a southern state there should be a few of those around.
|
|
|
Post by bitbyter on Sept 23, 2013 12:22:42 GMT -5
To anyone following this thread: Lindsey was on a brief hiatus due to....Life so I am updating this thread with a recent FB conversation.
Jason Raynor
I am fine with whatever pace you want to go at (life is a 4 letter word after all). You do need get them eating organs or they are going to have nutritional issues. You might have to go back to the dabbing it on their nose / rubbing it on their gums stage and giving it to them for a few days.
11:47 Lindsey Breed Tootle
Thank you Jason! They will eat the chicken hearts. I thought if I made like a giblet thanksgiving recipe for them they might eat it? But keep it raw? I keep trying to find way to get them to eat the organs.
Rat and quail were examples If you feed all those animals entire, then you don't need to add organ at all and think you've got it all pretty well covered :0) (from a recent post of Phae) Should I try introducing rat/mice? (just flippin grosses me out).
13:16 Jason Raynor
well if you are feeding whole prey you can get away with not feeding organs but you'll have to check with sherry how often minimum (I think I remember every other meal but I'm not sure). 13:20 Jason Raynor
yes, organs should always be fed raw and remember hearts are technically a muscle meat. They need liver as a minimum bit other organs (kidney) should be there as well. The only thing you can do is force them to get used to the taste. Some additional tactics would be: 1. doing the dab / gum rubbing every day for a few days, 1. puree up the organs by putitng them in a food processor, blender or pushing them through a fine metal strainer. Then cover their normal meats in the puree. Do this for a few meals in a row so that they are hungry enough to eat it. 3. Try getting some freeze dried liver treats and powder them (blender, food processor, mortar / pestle) and coat their meat with that (raw shake and bake).
|
|
|
Post by bitbyter on Sept 29, 2013 9:00:41 GMT -5
update?
|
|